Ch. 381..385: Charmed by the Billionaire CEO Chapter 381-385

Chapter 381: Havoc in her mind

Max stood still for a moment, trying to grasp his thoughts about what just happened when suddenly Tori pulled back.

"Ahh..." he groan out in frustration as he didn’t expect her to retreat so quickly.

"I-I... I am sorry..." He heard her say as embarrassment was quite evident on her face.

Tori had no idea why she reacted this way, but when she saw him cry, her heart swelled with pain, and all before she could think her legs moved on their own and she kissed him without any restraint.

But when the moment of realization stuck her clouded thoughts she withdrew.

Max watched the girl avoid meeting his gaze as if she was regretting whatever she did just now. He wanted to yell at her for being this bold to initiate a kiss with him and to take it back without his consent but he couldn’t.

Clenching his jaw firmly, he glance at her for the last time before he walked past her and headed into the base.

Tori could only see his retreating as she closed her eyes and heaved out a helpless sigh.

*****

[Knight mansion]

Gwen had locked herself inside her room for the entire day. She didn’t come out to have lunch and asked the servants to stop bothering her as she had no appetite.

Sitting on the floor, Gwen buried her face in her crossed knees while her hands wrapped around her leg.

She had been trying to forget the image of Karl and Linda hugging each other but every time that thought crossed her mind, she would feel dejected.

Gwen had isolated herself and even turned off her cell phone as she knew Karl would definitely try to reach her. She wanted to be alone and sort all her thoughts before she come to conclude anything.

She believed Karl but she didn’t believe the woman he had supported earlier. After whatever she heard inside the restroom, Gwen doubted that Linda wasn’t as wise a person as she had been trying to portray all this while.

That mocking smirk she gave her before bursting into a fake sob in front of Karl, only proved that she hadn’t changed a bit, and coming into Skylar Corps was one of her motives to get closer to Karl.

She remembered once her brother said, how Linda had a crush on Karl but she wasn’t reciprocated. ’Does it means she is once again trying to grasp Karl’s trust over her by creating a misunderstanding between them’

Snapping her head out from her knees, Gwen gasped at the sudden realization. She could sense that Linda was up to something but she couldn’t pinpoint it.

’And who is this Ryan she was talking with?’ a deep frown marred her face as she pushed herself and stood up.

This nagging feeling of suspicion was causing havoc in her mind and before it burst she had to find the answers.

Shrugging her shoulders, she looked at the empty water jar and sighed. "I need to hydrate myself" she mumbled and walked towards the door flung opening it only to get shocked in return.

"Karl" she mumbled under her breath as she watched the person she had been thinking about all this time stand in front of her.

He looked a mess as his tired eyes finally shined and his lips stretched into a beautiful smile as he stared at her.

"Gwen..." he called out her name with desperation and was about to embrace her to calm his restlessness when suddenly she asked.

"What are you doing here?" her voice came out as cold and indifferent which surprised Karl to the core.

Blinking his eyes a few times, Karl heaved out an awkward smile, brushing off her serious look, and answered," I came to meet you. You left without telling me. I was worried..."

Gwen could see how worried he was for her but when did that concern go when Linda was hugging him? Didn’t her thought cross his mind before embracing that bitch?

The melting of her heart stop as she resumed back to her original poker face.

"You shouldn’t have concerned yourself with that. I am all good" she said with the same coldness and walked past him.

"But why did you go and why didn’t you inform me?" Karl tailed her through the long corridor as they descend downstairs.

"I wasn’t feeling well, that’s why I left. Sorry for the burden I put you through in my absence,"

Gwen had been so harsh with her words that Karl felt more guilty for walking away from her when in reality he should’ve stayed there until she had calmed down.

Unable to handle her ignorance, Karl stopped her by grabbing her arm and made her turn to look at him.

"What’s wrong Gwen? Why are you behaving like this?" his heart pained watching her act so cold towards him.

He realized that he shouldn’t overact this way but her words ended up irking him to the point that he thought leaving was the only way to stop the argument. But now he regretted doing so.

"Nothing is wrong with me and feel much better after taking proper rest," Gwen said as she slowly pulled her arm out from his hold.

Karl was feeling more than remorse by her words. She had been trying to shove him off by acting that nothing was wrong and everything was good between them but only he knew that wasn’t the case.

Watching her for some time he heaved out a sigh before agreeing to her words. "if that’s.. what you say"

"Hmm.." without stretching her words more Gwen only hummed.

Turning around she then motioned one of the maids and asked her to bring her some water for both of them. She could see how Karl was trying to reach for her but she never melt for his puppy-like face.

He had to explain to her about his actions in Linda’s cabin.

Walking towards the couch Gwen settle down while her eyes observed Karl who did the same taking the seat next to her.

"By the way how did your day go? I mean you must’ve coaxed Linda good enough to stop her from crying"

"..."

Chapter 382: My heart hurts

Karl was taken aback by her words and stared at her with confusion when she let out a humorless chuckle.

"I hope you must’ve. She must be feeling better by now"

Gwen didn’t leave a chance to taunt him. The scene she had been trying to forget crossed her mind once again when he came to meet her.

"Are you doubting me, Gwen?" Karl suddenly asked out of the blue.

"Who am I to doubt you" she shrugged ignoring his hurtful look. She was going to fall for his innocent face. She knew he wasn’t at fault but whatever she saw, couldn’t be avoided.

Karl was feeling hurt by Gwen’s harsh words. It didn’t take him time to understand what she was trying to point out.

He assumed that Gwen had already witnessed Linda hugging him, but instead of letting him explain for exactly what happened between the two, she was doubting him.

"If that’s what you feel then, let it be" he declared taking a deep breath and stood up from his seat.

"I thought we would have cleared our difference but guess you aren’t ready to listen to me"

Gwen’s eyes grew wide on his sudden declaration but she quickly masked her astonishment and pursed her lips into a thin line.

She thought Karl knew her so much that he would be able to understand why she left the office without informing him. She thought he would come to speak to her that whatever she said wasn’t the truth, but instead of explaining to her, he was rather agreeing to her accusation.

Both of them kept staring at each other with complicated emotions flowing through their gaze but no one utter a word in their defense. Their egos took over their love and without speaking another word, Karl marched out of the room in fury.

"Young miss.." the voice of the maid snapped Gwen out of her trance as she turned to her with utter confusion marred on her face and watched her keep two glasses of water on the table ahead before she turned and left.

She couldn’t believe Karl would just walk away without even saying a word, leaving the conversation mid-way.

Meanwhile, Karl hopped into his car and drove out from the mansion’s gate getting all enraged by Gwen’s accusation.

Nothing hurt more to him than her words. ’Did she have this little trust in him’ he thought and raced his car clutching the steering wheel firmly into his palms driving straight to the bar.

He just wanted to ease up and forget everything that he heard from Gwen’s mouth. The girl who didn’t even trust him, why would he get worried for her?

Entering the bar, he walked towards the counter and ordered him a drink. Karl wasn’t fond of drinking. It was very rare when he would have a drink as he believed to have very low alcohol tolerance but tonight, he didn’t care.

He just wanted to forget the pain he had been feeling inside his heart and the only thing that could soothe it was alcohol.

After about fifteen minutes, Karl was almost two drinks down and was already getting tipsy. His head started to spin and his vision turned blurry.

"One.. more.." he requests the bartender to pour him another glass with his slurry voice and suddenly he sensed someone standing next to him.

"Karl..." a sweet voice reached his ears and he turned to look at the person.

His eyes widen in surprise and a smile found its way to his lips as he called that person’s name with utmost longing," Gwen..."

****

Meanwhile, a car stopped in front of the Knight mansion and both Tristan and Ashley stepped out of the car.

"Just because I came here doesn’t mean you are forgiven Tristan" Ashley snapped shooting a glare at her husband who only pouted in response.

If not for Gwen, she wouldn’t have let this man get closer to her. Without sparing another glance she entered the house with Tristan silently tailing her like a lost puppy.

Quickly making their way toward Gwen’s room, Ashley then knocked on her door.

"Wasn’t I clear when I told you all not to disturb me" Gwen yelled getting pissed by the sudden knock thinking it was again the maid who came to disturb her.

Both Ashley and Tristan glanced at each with confusion when Ashley once again knocked on the door but this time she called out her name.

"Gwen, it’s me Ashley" As if she heard her, Gwen didn’t yell this time nor did she respond to her words.

After exactly a minute passed and she finally opened the door and quickly turned around walking back deep into her room.

Heaving a deep sigh both Ashley and Tristan followed her.

*****

Inside the silent room, both Tristan and Ashley settled on the couch while Gwen sat by the edge of her bed with her eyes lowered.

Since the time they came she never once spoke a word nor did she lift her head to look at them.

By the looks, it appeared that she had been crying the entire time as her cheeks and the tip of her nose had turned red.

Another minute passed and when she still didn’t speak it was Tristan who broke the silence.

"What’s wrong Gwen? Why is your phone turned off" Getting up from his seat he then walked toward Gwen and sat next to her. His hand instantly wrapped around her shoulder as he carefully brushed her arm breaking the shield of silence.

A sob escaped her mouth as she finally raised her head and turned to look at her brother. Her tears once again began to roll down her eyes and before she immediately hugged him burying her face into his chest.

"My heart hurts brother..." she cried as she could bear the pain anymore.

Tristan was taken aback by her words as he moved his eyes to look at Ashley who too seemed utterly surprised.

A deep crease marred his face as he pulled his attention back to Gwen. He let her cry until she finally calmed a little and it was then he made her look at him with his hands resting on her shoulder and asked.

"Tell me what’s bothering you" his voice was a little gentle but more of serious as he asked her to speak.

Hiccupping her sobs Gwen wiped off the tears from her face and started telling them everything.

Tristan couldn’t believe Karl would end up doing this, but he also couldn’t blame him because he didn’t know his side of the story.

"I don’t want to talk with him" she suddenly spoke taking both of them surprised by her out burst.

Chapter 383: Storm waiting ahead

Gwen huffed like a child as she crossed her hand over her chest only making the two look back and forth at her and then at one another.

Ashley who hadn’t spoken a word the entire time motioned Tristan to give them some time to speak.

Getting her signal, he immediately pulled out his phone from his pocket and acted as if he had a call to make swiftly walking out of her room.

Once the door was closed Ashley took in a deep breath before she looked at Gwen and asked," Do you want to have coffee?"

Her words snapped Gwen’s attention to her as she confusingly bobbed her head in agreement.

****

Gwen stood on her open space balcony staring at the twinkling stars in the sky when Ashley came out carrying two coffee mugs in her hands.

"Here you go..." Passing her the right one she then turned to look in the direction she had been staring at all the time.

"You know when I first met your brother, I didn’t even know who he was apart from the fact that we had a one-night stand" Ashley chuckled recalling how she had shoved money into his hand paying him for his service.

Gwen smiled faintly as she sip the hot coffee letting its bitter-sweet taste wet her dry tongue.

Suddenly the flavor started to feel foreign to her as she hadn’t had anything from the time she returned home making her scrunch her nose.

"Is it bad?" Ashley asked in concern when she noticed how her face crumpled at the taste of the coffee.

"No!.. not at all. It’s good... in fact perfect" Gwen responded with much hastily and watched her smile back.

Again a long pause engulfed the two when Ashley spoke. "You know Gwen fighting in a relationship is a sign of love too" Her words made Gwen turn her head to Ashley’s side.

"Do you see this mark" she pointed at the hickey Tristan gave her on her neck and continued," He is being punished for touching me so" Ashley stated with a fake anger.

"He surely deserves it. Sometimes brother is too annoying" Gwen smiled shaking her head in disbelief.

"I know, but you know what Gwen even if he annoys me I still couldn’t stop myself from loving him," she said as that fake appearance soon dropped and a pleasant smile lingered on her face.

"You know sometimes it is very hard to know what is going on in your brother’s mind. He can be too expressive sometimes or too reserved the other time. He had variously shaded which I am still learning, but there is also one thing that I love about him and that is, he is a man of his word"

"I might get pissed if he happens to ignore me or hide things from me but when I think about it, I come to think there is always a reason behind his silence. Do you think the same about Karl?" she asked entirely turning around to face her.

"Have you ever realized why Karl must be the way he is?"

The moment she mentioned Karl’s name, Gwen found herself recalling the happy moment she spent with him and her heart suddenly swelled with pain.

"He is a kind person who never hurts anyone because he believes in humanity and kindness" she stated after much thought.

"And do you think he must have thought about any schemes when he offered Linda any help?" Ashley asked once again.

"That’s the problem he doesn’t see the bad in anyone even when he knows how Linda is as a person" Gwen snarled thinking about Linda as she clutched her palms around the coffee mug.

"But that doesn’t mean he has his heart softened for her. He just respects everyone around him and when Linda asked him to let her stand leaning close to his chair, he agreed"

Gwen fell silent for a moment as she recalled how clueless was Karl when Linda tried to fall over him. She can be right to guess her motives at that time but what about the hug?

"But they hugged in her cabin. What about that? Was it still my mistake to not get hurt by it"

Ashley could see the torment Gwen was facing thinking about whatever happened and how her relationship with Karl became so cold.

"Did you give him a chance to speak?" Ashley asked arching her brows in questioning and watch her pursed her lips.

She was so into her head that she didn’t let him explain and directly blamed him for cheating on her, though he didn’t.

Karl would never cheat on her because she knew it was only her whom he loved and cared about most.

As soon as the realization struck, she snapped her head looking at Ashley with wide eyes.

"I guess you got your answer" Ashley muttered patting her shoulder proudly.

"I am such a fool... I should go and apologize to him" she began to mumble under her breath, shaking her head at her stupidity.

"Not before you eat something. I heard you didn’t have your meals " Tristan walked out of the balcony and stood next to his sister who pouted her lips in sorry.

"And about Karl, that man isn’t answering my calls. I think he is taking his time to sort out his emotions. You do know how he is?" he asked saying the known and Gwen immediately bobbed her head.

Karl had the habit of isolating himself when things get messed up in his life. After a few hours of seclusion, he would be back to his normal self.

"I think you should give him some time, after all, you upset him," Ashley said giving her a fake warning look before the three burst into a pit of laughter.

Gwen was feeling much better and she couldn’t wait for the next day to arrive as she decided to surprise Karl in the early morning. She just wanted to smother him with kisses and apologize to him for whatever she said in her anger and jealousy.

But little did she know a huge storm was waiting ahead of her...

Chapter 384: End of their relationship.

After spending a sleepless night finally the morning sun raised and Gwen quickly hopped down from her bed rushing straight into the bathroom.

Ten minutes later she was ready and quickly left the Knight Mansion driving straight to Karl’s place.

She wanted to apologize and make up for the mistake she did by doubting him. Her anger overtook her sanity and she blurted words that ended up hurting him.

Since it was 7 in the morning the road wasn’t filled with traffic and after about twenty minutes she finally reached his place.

Climbing out of the car, she immediately entered the house and marched towards the bedroom where she confirmed him to be sleeping.

Her eyes were filled with guilt and love at the same time and all she wanted to was see him and cuddle him asking for his forgiveness.

Standing in front of the bedroom door, Gwen sucked in a deep breath and carefully opened the door.

The smile on her lips faltered when her eyes fell on the bed where she saw Karl sleeping with his clothes off and next to him was Linda who was sleeping with her arms wrapped around his torso while her head rested on his chest.

Gwen’s entire world collapsed when she noticed even Linda had her clothes off and their body wrapped with a white bedsheet.

Tears welled in her eyes as she found her breathing hitched at the sight of the two bodies tangled with each other. It didn’t take her time to realize what must have happened here and that was enough to shatter her soul and heart.

Gwen stumbled back on her feet when her hand hit the vase on the table next to the door and it fell shattering the glass into multiple pieces.

The sound of the vase made Gwen feel like her heart had been crushed just like it and the next moment Karl stirred in his sleep, slowly opening his eyes.

"Gwen..." he mumbled as he slowly cleared his vision and tried to get up but was restricted when he found someone’s hand wrapped around his waist.

Snapping his head into his side Karl’s eyes widen in shock when he noticed Linda sleeping with him and that too naked.

It was then reality struck him like lightning and he slowly turned his eyes on himself.

Fear crept into his heart and he slowly raised his head to look at Gwen who looked so broken.

"G-Gwen... this is not w-what you are think" his voice choked when he saw her cry silently.

Karl’s head throbbed due to the alcohol he consumed last night but he ignored that pain and pushed Linda’s sleeping figure aside only listening to her growl in her sleep before she again hugged him.

"Hmm... Don’t go.." her sheepish moan crushed Gwen’s heart even further and without wasting a second she turned and ran away from there.

"Gwen..." Karl snarled jerking her arm away from him and climbed down the bed before sprinting behind her.

Linda who had been awake all the time, smiled wickedly enjoying her victory. It was all her plan since the beginning she first met Karl in that restaurant and it was the moment she realized he was the perfect scapegoat she needed to execute her plan.

"I finally got you Karl" she muttered and pushed herself upright letting the bedsheet drop from her naked body as she sensually climbed down the bed and started to get dressed.

******

[Outside]

Before Gwen could step out of the house Karl grabbed her arm stopping her from taking a step ahead and twirled her around.

"Gwen, it’s not what you think," he said in his defense.

Karl had no idea how Linda and he ended up sleeping on his bed but all he wanted to do was to stop Gwen from misunderstanding anything.

Gwen wriggled her hand in his grip trying to free herself.

"I thought... it was me who was wrong Karl... I wanted to apologize for being so cold to you but guess you have been enjoying yourself with her" Gwen spat venom in her anger as the sight of their sleeping naked figure kept replaying in her mind.

"No Gwen...please listen to me" he tried to explain himself only to get laughed at by her.

"Ha... what should I listen to when I ended up witnessing such a delightful sight. After all, she managed to seduce you, didn’t she?" Gwen laughed while her eyes cried feeling the unending pain inside her heart.

Karl could see her with painful eyes. He had no answers to her question, no explanation for her claims. He himself had no recollection of last night except the fact that he ended up drinking until he started to see Gwen’s face on every other person inside the bar.

Gwen waited for him to speak and when he didn’t utter a word her heart broke. Everything was ruined now, their relationship for sabotaged the second he cheated on her.

"I think there is nothing left for me in here" she spoke slowly feeling his grip around her hand loosen and she quickly seized the opportunity to turn and walk out of the house.

Karl stood still on his spot feeling like a defeated person who ended up being the one who broke Gwen’s heart. He just wanted someone to shoot him. If it was the end of their relationship then he didn’t want to live.

The only girl whom he loved his entire life, he failed her and that reality was itself a torture for him. But then suddenly something knocked his mind and as if his body had regained its strength, he swiftly turned around and dashed into his room.

He wanted answers and the person who would spill everything was the woman inside the room.

"How did you end up on my bed?" he questioned with much annoyance as soon as he walked into the room.

Linda had just got dressed and swiftly turned to face Karl whose eyes had been drilling holes into her skin.

If looks could’ve killed Linda must’ve died a million death by now.

Karl’s intimidating eyes had somewhat startled Linda for a few seconds. She could see the rage dripping from his stares, but it wasn’t the time to get afraid.

Composing herself Linda tried to put on the pitiful mask and began to cry. "You don’t remember anything, Karl"

Chapter 385: Linda’s plan.

[Last night at the bar]

"Gwen..." Karl slurred as he saw Gwen standing next to him, flashing him her gentle smile.

Reaching his hand out, he then grabbed her hand and kiss the back of her palm sweetly.

"I know you are upset with me, but I swear on you nothing is going on between me and Linda. That hug you saw was merely an accident. She tripped on her own" Karl tried to explain in his toxic state unaware of the fact that the hand he was holding and kissing didn’t belong to Gwen.

Linda stood there and watch him pour his heart out like a drunken lover but she didn’t speak. She knew Karl was totally wasted and was hallucinating her to be Gwen and that’s when she decided to execute her plan.

Using her other hand, she pulled out her phone and made a call before she turned to him and said," Karl, I think we should go home" She tried to sound as Gwen sweet and gentle and watched him raise his head to look at her.

His eyes bored into her concerned ones before he bobbed his head agreeing with her request.

Linda carefully made Karl stand and helped him get out of the bar. he was so heavy right now as he entirely leaned his weight on her, mumbling something she wasn’t able to understand.

Once they were outside, a tall figure approached them and Linda smiled watching him. "Help me settle in the car," she said looking at Ryan who informed her about Karl visiting the bar.

After whatever happened inside her office, Linda knew she had managed to sow the seed of doubt in Gwen’s mind. The way she manipulated the accidental hug into something sinister, she knew somehow they were going to drift apart.

Once the office hours were over she informed Ryan to keep an eye on Karl and in return she would reward him. The lustful man quickly agreed to his cunning girlfriend and since then had been monitoring him attentively.

By now Karl had entirely lost consciousness and was being shoved into the back seat of his car. Once they made sure he wasn’t going to wake up soon and comfortably sleeping behind. Linda then motioned Ryan to hop into the car before they drove from there.

Once reaching his place, Linda opened the door for them and dragged the passed-out Karl straight into his bedroom and made him lie on his bed.

As per Linda’s instruction, Ryan undressed Karl and cover his naked body with the duvet before he turned to look at his girl who was now stripping in front of him.

His eyes darkened with desire and in no time they found themselves kissing and making out in front of the unconscious Karl.

Linda wanted everything to look real so she didn’t mind them having sex inside the room. Both were indulged in the heated activity until they both reach their climax and exploded with pure bliss.

"You need to go now," Linda said as she panted heavily after getting banged mercilessly by her man.

Though Ryan wasn’t someone her grandfather approved of, she still loved him and would go to any extent to be with him, even if she has to take the wrong way.

"Not now, I want to have more of you Linda..." he expressed his desire to be with his girl but she denied it.

"You need to think about the baby Ryan. Too much sex can harm it" she said resting her palm on her flat stomach.

Linda was three weeks pregnant with Ryan’s child. It was just a few days ago, she came to learn about it and the first thing she did was inform the child’s father about it. Ryan...

She knew if the news about her pregnancy reached her grandfather’s ears, he would disown her, snatching every right from her. So they both came up with a plan and that plan was to trap Karl into the mess they created.

She knew her grandfather wanted her to settle down and give him a grandchild or else he would never give her any shares from the Acme Group which rightfully belonged to her through her mother.

Karl was a perfect man who her grandfather would never object. He was a handsome, hardworking man, and most important he was Tristan’s Knight’s most trusted man. It was a total win-win for them.

Once she managed to convince Karl that this child is his, she would marry him and take the shares from her grandfather and leave this place with Ryan.

Everything was well-planned and now she only wanted to have Karl on the board.

[Present]

Karl was utterly speechless by what he heard and it was then his eyes looked around the room which was entirely messed up. He had no recollection of last night but the looks and the words she spoke made him believe her.

Linda said he forced himself on her in his toxic state. He was too drunk and strong for her to stop him from doing this sinful deed.

"I tried to stop you Karl but you didn’t, now what should I do..." Linda cried her crocodile tears trying to appear convincing and making Karl feel the guilt.

She watched the distressed look on Karl’s face and was sure enough that her words were somewhat affecting him.

He didn’t speak a word and only kept looking blankly in a particular direction.

Karl had lost the spirit to even think properly. Whatever happened between him and Linda had ruined his relationship with Gwen. He looked like a wounded warrior who had no courage to accept reality.

After much silence, he finally spoke," For now, I want you to leave Linda" his cold words poured water on her smile and her lips twitched in embarrassment.

"What.." she whispered in disbelief.

Karl turned his head in her direction and continued," I need some time to think Linda. It’s too much for me to handle"

Karl wanted to sort out his thoughts and look deeper into what really happened. Thought he wanted to believe in Linda’s words but deep inside his heart he was restrained from entirely trusting her.

Linda had never felt so humiliated in her entire time, but she promised herself that she wouldn’t let him think otherwise. She had finally caught the fish and now she won’t back down before she achieves her goal.

Bobbing her head in understanding, she wiped off those fake tears from her face and picked up her bad from the floor before walking out of his room.

Once he was sure that Linda had left, Karl slowly fell to his knees, dropping his head on the floor and letting his heart cry out.